Working through political coups in South East Asia might not be for everyone, but for Chris Paul, chief executive of consumer finance firm Avant Money, it was just another day at the office. Before the financial crash of 2008, Paul was leading American Express' operations in Thailand. One morning, he spotted a few new sights on his commute into the capital city of Bangkok. "There were roadblocks and tanks on the road," he says. "But it was all calm; kids were on the tanks having their pictures taken. Bridal couples were coming out of temples and climbing on the tanks to have their wedding pictures. It was all a bit strange and surreal, but you never felt in danger.